Cole Hamels Reportedly Traded to Rangers

Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels has been traded to the Texas Rangers in a deal involving outfielder Nick Williams, catcher Jorge Alfaro and RHP Jerad Eickhoff, according to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports.

Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reported pitcher Matt Harrison, pitcher Alec Asher and outfielder Nick Williams and pitcher Jake Thompson are also being sent to the Phillies, with reliever Jake Diekman and cash considerations going to the Rangers with Hamels as part of the deal. 

Hamels pitched a no-hitter against the Chicago Cubs on July 25, re-igniting trade talks. "Momentum building toward Hamels trade," Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal tweeted July 26. "Teams asking for less money, offering better players." 

Jayson Stark of ESPN reported the Philadelphia front office informed interested teams they wanted their "best offers" for Hamels two days before the trade deadline so they could decide whether they wanted to trade the pitcher and, if so, which team would get the ace. 

Rosenthal named two players Texas was wary of trading: "Rangers will not move [Nomar] Mazara in Hamels deal, one source says. Will yield on Alfaro only if Phillies add more $$$. Want to keep Chi Chi." Ultimately Alfaro was included in the deal, along with the corresponding cash considerations listed.

The market for Hamels wasn't limited to the Rangers, as a bevy of clubs were linked to the pitcher before the Rangers were able to close the dal.

On July 28, Rosenthal said the San Francisco Giants made a "strong push" for Hamels and noted that with $50 million coming off their payroll this offseason, they're planning to use that financial flexibility as an asset in trade talks. However, Rosenthal noted the Phillies worried the Giants lacked the prospects to make a deal happen. Zolecki first reported the Giants' interest on July 25.

Rob Bradford of WEEI reported sources believed Hamels' no-trade clause was ultimately too much of a hurdle for the Red Sox to overcome to land the lefty.  

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported rival talent evaluators would be "stunned" if the Dodgers didn't manage to land Hamels or Tigers ace David Price. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported the team was "prioritizing" Hamels, though ultimately they couldn't strike a deal.

The Houston Astros also made a "strong effort" to land Hamels, according to Rosenthal. 

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com noted on July 27 the Arizona Diamondbacks had reached out to the Phillies about the star pitcher, but as Crasnick pointed out, both teams were on Hamels' no-trade list. Stark reported he was told "weeks ago" Hamels would not go to the Astros. 

Morosi reported the Cubs were also lingering as a team of interest.

Hamels has a history of playoff success, which makes him an even more valuable commodity.

It will be odd to see Hamels in anything other than the Phillies' red and white, but since the organization received a big-time offer, it may be the best time for the Phillies to part with the talented pitcher.

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